Surgical tampon



Aug. 27, 1929. s PETERKIN 1,725,996

SURGI CAL TAMPON Filed March 1928 Inventor Atlorney Patented Aug. 27, 1929.

UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GUY SHEARMAN PETERKIN, F SEATTLE, WASHINGTON.

SURGICAL TAMPON.

Application filed March 5,1928. Serial No. 259,109.

My present invention relates to an improved surgical tampon which, while adapted for various uses and purposes, is

' the character and amount of the product it manufactures, as in examining the urine.

This tampon is also adapted to ascertaining the presence of and securing for identification (microscopically and by means of cultures) bacteria, especially gonorrhea, which, virtually one thousand times smaller than the head of a pin, seeks, in compliance with the law of self-preservation, to evade detection by hiding in the tortuous glands of the cervix.

By utilization of my device the physician is able to obtain the cervical secretion in quantity sufficient to permit of clinical inspection and accurate chemical and micro-. scopic examination. My device also obviates the ever-present possibility of failure which confronts the physician in ascertaining the presence of bacteria in the cervix, due to the bacterias presence being, at the beginning of, the decline of, or when a chronic condition exists, few in number, so easily overlooked. My device also lessens the possibility of overlooking bacteria due to their minute size, by increasing the number present. Due to its construction and the material used, this device permits of the observation of the principles of the physiological law governing the rate of excretion of the cervical glands, and of the biological law governing the rate of reproduction of bacteria.

My tampon is fashioned from a plurality of layers or sheets of material having a soft, pliable texture, such as rice paper, which layers or sheets are adapted to beingisteri lized, yet are of a texture that will permit of their being, withoutidiscomfort retained" in the vagina in contact with the cervix over a period of hours. In combination with the sterilized and medicated sheets or layers, I employ an intermediate or interposed medium or sheet that also is smooth and pliable, but is impervious and nonporous in order to prevent passage of fluid therethrough. The impervious, non-porous material may be conveniently fashioned from glassine or sheets of glazed paper or other similar material suitable for the purpose, and this impervious sheet or layer'is located in the tampon back of the sterilized sheet or layer when the latter is placed against the cervix. The impervious layer or sheet is thus adapted to serve the scientific purpose of receiving and retaining the cervical discharge for microscopic examination. Such examination is very essential when a gonorrheal infection is suspected in the cervix, and in such cases it is often necessary to maintain the tampon in position for twenty-four hours. The tampon, which is rendered impervious by the presence of the non-porous layer or sheet, is thus adapted to receive and retain the dischargefor inspection and for ascertaining the character of the discharge or secretion.

The invention consists in certain novel combinations and arrangements of the folded sheets or layers to form the tampon as will hereinafter be more fully set forth. In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated one complete example of the physical embodiment of my invention wherein the parts are combined and arranged according to the best mode I have thus far devised for the practical application of the principles of my invention.

Figure 1 is a diagammatic view showing the tampon in position for the purpose of gathering secretions or discharges for 1nspection and examination.

Figure 2 is a plan View of the tampon before folding, showing the several layers or sheets from which the tampon is formed or fashioned with their corners turned back for convenience of illustration, and indicating the size and position of the impervious sheet by dotted lines.

Figure 3 is a perspective view show ng the sheets of Figure 2 folded on the l1ne 3--3.

, Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the second folded position of the tampon, the

folds being indicated on lines 44 of Figures 2 and 4.

Figure 5 is a View showing the completed tampon ready for application.

Figure 6 is a perspective view showing an enclosing envelope for the folded tampon of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a perspective view showing a packet prepared for the profession, the packet comprising envelopes, one of which is shown in Figure 6, and containing the tampons.

In carrying out my invention a plurality of sheets or layers may be used, and here indicated as'l, 2, 8 and 4, sheets 1, 3 and 4 being preferably of rice paper or similar material, and sheet 2 being the impervious or non-porous sheet orlayer, and conveniently fashioned of glassine, or glazed material of similar nature. The sheet 1 that is placed against the cervix is preferably sterilized, while the sheets or layers 3 and 4 are medicated or impregnated with a medicant as acetic acid or some suitable antiseptic, and the tampon is folded in shape to prevent contamination by vaginal flora.

The impervious sheet or layer is approximately the size and proportion indicated by dotted lines in Figure 2 where it is shown about one-quarter the size of the rectangular sheets of rice paper. The word approximate is used, inasmuch as this sheet is slightly larger, so that on the infolding of the tampon it will be held in place, and slipping be prevented. The impervious sheet is preferably located between the sterilized sheet 1 and a medicated sheet as 3, and the sheets are first folded on the line 33 of Figure 2 the right half down and under to the form of A. in Figure 3, and then folded on the line 44 the top half down and under to form the article B in Figure 4. The form B is thus reduced to the approximate size of the impervious sheet and the latter is surrounded and shielded by the smooth, soft, and pliable enclosure of several thicknesses of rice paper. Thus the first sheet against the cervix is the sterilized sheet and this same sheet forms the outer surface of the en tire tampon. Next to the quarter-fold or first sheet comes the glassine or impervious sheet, and then this sheet is backed by the several layers of medicated sheets. The first sheet thus absorbs any discharge and the impervious sheet prevents extension of the discharge beyond the first sheet.

The form B of Figure tis placed between two pieces of cardboard, so as to facilitate the removal of the tampon without tearing same. This cardboard is inserted in a container or envelope, Figure 6, and sealed with the usual flap, to insure a sanitary and protected article. The envelope is provided with a tear-cord, 8, of usual type, by means of which access may be had to the tampon B when it is to be used. A suitable number of envelopes are fashioned in a stack, as shown in Figure 7, and secured by a tie-band, 9, and label, 10, for distribu tion to the profession in usual manner.

When the tampon B, Figure 4, is to be used, the cervix having been cleansed, the four corners, 11, Figure 5, in being pushed up to the cervix will point outward, as shown in Figure 5. It is these four corners that, when the cervix is reached, should be pushed up and around the cervix, to hold the tampon in position. The tampon, when its ends are so pushed up and around the cervix, forms a cap, as it were, covering the cervix, as in: dicated in Figure l. l

The soft, pliable texture of the tampon permits of ready application without danger of abrasion to the membrane, and these charactcristics or features of the tampon are instrumental in maintaining the pad or tampon in situ, and preventing its displacement. After the necessary period has elapsed for gathering the secretions or discharges, the tampon may with facility be removed for purposes of examination and inspection of the secretions or discharges as heretofore described.

.Having thus fully described by invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is v 1. A folded tampon comprising a plurality of sterilized and medicated, pliable sheets, and an intermediate sheet of nonporous, impervious material.

2. A tampon of a plurality of sheets of rice paper and an intermediate sheet of impervious material, said tampon having a plurality. of right angular folds and its corners folded over toward its center.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

GUY SHEARMAN PETERKIN. 

